At 29,035 feet, Mount Everest is the highest peak on the planet. It is on the border between Tibet and Nepal; in Nepalese, the name means "goddess of the sky." It is a treacherous climb, even for experienced mountaineers, and more than 200 people have lost their lives trying to reach the summit. Travelers who want to see the mountain but lack the skills to climb it have several options, including a trek to Everest Base Camp, which at 17,000 feet is still higher than the peaks many mountaineers attempt to scale.

Step 1

Get a complete physical before setting out, and make sure your body can withstand the rigors of life at high altitudes. You'll need to be in outstanding shape if you're considering a trek to Everest Base Camp, and even the easiest of tours in this region may require some hiking. Walking a mile at sea level might be easy, but at 17,000 feet you'll be deprived of oxygen and will need healthy lungs.

Step 2

Book a tour for your trek to Everest Base Camp. Treks last seven to 23 days and are available from companies such as Tibet Discovery (tibetdiscovery.com), Unique Path (nepaltrekkinginfo.com) and Himalaya Journeys (himalayajourneys.com). Generally speaking, the shorter trips combine hiking with vehicle transfer, while the longer versions are more strenuous.

Step 3

Stay at the world's highest hotel, at 13,000 feet: the Hotel Everest View. Sliding glass doors in every room provide visitors with spectacular views of the mountain. A flight from Kathmandu to the hotel airstrip at Syangboche takes less than one hour; from there, it's a one-mile trek to the building. Chartered helicopter flights go directly to the hotel.

Step 4

Consider flying to Everest for a close-up view of the world's tallest peak. Four airlines run regularly scheduled one-hour flights: Buddha Air (buddhaair.com), Agni Air (agniair.com), Guna Airlines (gunaairlines.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com). You travel on dual-engine propeller planes configured with two rows of seats, so everyone has a window. Several companies, such as Nepal Visitors (nepalvisitors.com), operate helicopter tours of the mountain, but prices can be as steep as Everest. While a Mountain Flight on a scheduled airline costs $182 per person, a four-hour helicopter tour for four averages $10,000.

Step 5

Time your trip to take advantage of a window of good weather. October through November and February through April are good times to go, since they are, respectively, the beginning and end of the dry season. Outside of those time frames, you're likely to encounter fog, rain and snow.

Tip

When trekking in the region, bring a supply of cash. You're not likely to find an ATM on the mountain, and acceptance of credit cards is rare.

About the Author

Mark Spivak is a writer and reporter with more than 20 years of experience. He has contributed to various newspapers, magazines and online publications, including "National Geographic Traveler," "Robb Report," "Art & Antiques," "Men's Journal" and Newsmax. Spivak is also the author of "Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History," published by Lyons Press.